Rugby 2011

Cup play-off picture changes

06:31 am on 19 September 2011

The Rugby World Cup play-off picture has changed dramatically following Ireland's win over Australia at Eden Park on Saturday night.

Radio New Zealand's rugby reporter says it could mean that Tri-Nations teams will be on one side of the knockout draw and the Europeans on the other.

Unless Ireland slip up, they will finish top of pool C and Australia will be second, meaning the Tri-Nations champions will have to meet South Africa in the quarter-finals.

All going well the winner of that match will then face the All Blacks in the semi-finals.

That leaves the other side of the draw to be contested by European teams.

Ireland now control pool C and could go on to face Wales in the quarter-finals, as long as they beat Italy in their last match. England could play France in the other.

Of course a lot has to happen before those matches are confirmed, most notably the All Blacks beating France at Eden Park on Saturday.